LGBTQ Initiatives

Commission Purpose and Charge

The purpose of the Presidential Commission on LGBTQ Initiatives is to serve as an advisory
body to the President and other University officials for matters of concern to gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning persons across the University.
The LGBTQ initiative will provide welcoming, visible, and tangible support to ensure
that the University's programs and services are inclusive. The Commission will assist
the University in developing a vision and perform its charge by recommending, developing,
and/or initiating plans, programs, strategies, and resources pertaining to the LGBTQ
community.

More specifically, the commission is tasked with:

Assisting University officials in developing a vision and proactive strategies for
addressing issues and concerns of LGBTQ persons on campus;

Fashioning a proactive set of conversations, programs, and initiatives to guide the
university's strategic emphases;

Providing advice on approaches that will contribute to KSU's goals of becoming a national
leader in the higher education community with regard to how the University deals with
issues and concerns related to LGBTQ persons and other underrepresented groups; and

Identifying and suggesting other activities, actions, and policies that will lead
to an increased understanding and acceptance of diverse viewpoints and perspectives
between and among different members and groups of KSU's diverse community.

All Commissions are charged by and report to the President through the University's
Chief Diversity Officer.

• USG Health Insurance Policy: It was discovered that health insurance providers offer the option to cover gender
transition procedures and gender dysphoria upon request from employers. The commission
recommended that KSU contact the University System of Georgia (USG) to request the
inclusion health insurance coverage for gender transition and gender dysphoria to
existing health plans. An update on the progress of this will be requested in Fall
Semester 2016.

• Preferred Names: The commission identified a need to allow the use of preferred names on university
online classroom programs (D2L Bright Space). The process to include this as an option
for students has begun and an update will be requested in Fall Semester 2016.